DCE locks out District Finance Officer

Kpetoe (V/R), Sept 14, GNA - A misunderstanding between Mr Mawuli Dabi, the District Chief Executive of Adaklu-Anyigbe, and Mr Paul Atsu, the District Finance Officer, over use of the assembly's official vehicle has led to the locking out of Mr Atsu from his office. The incident has brought administrative work at the district assembly to a standstill.

When the Ghana News Agency visited the offices of the assembly on Tuesday, memos seeking the release of funds could not go through due to the absence of the Finance Officer, the second signatory to the assembly 's chequebook.

Briefing GNA on the misunderstanding Mr Gershon Gadzekpo, the District Coordinating Director, said the District Finance Officer had sought permission to use the vehicle on Saturday to pack his belongings to a new apartment.

He said later that day, the DCE also requested to use the same vehicle for official duties.

The District Coordinating Director said he informed the DCE about the District Finance Officer's request and it was agreed that the DCE used the vehicle before it was made available to the finance officer. Mr Gadzekpo said at mid-day, the vehicle had still not been made available to the DCE who traced it to Ho and saw it loaded with District Finance Officer's family.

He said the DCE's order for the people to get down from the vehicle met the displeasure of the District Finance Officer and his people, resulting in exchange of words.

Mr Gadzekpo said the alleged demonstration of disrespect by the District Finance Officer to the DCE caused the DCE to barricade the District Finance Officer's office.

He said the incident was "hampering the Assembly's progress", adding that the assembly was handicapped because the District Finance Officer was in charge of the assembly's finances. Mr Gadzekpo said the issue had been reported to the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.

When contacted Mr Atsu confirmed the incident but said the misunderstanding had other causes apart from the use of the official vehicle.

Mr Dabi would not comment on the incident. "I don't want to comment on this issue because it is with my superiors and I will not like to take the wind out of their sail", he said.